Syrian National Coalition Member: 96% of Syrians Live Below the Poverty Line
Haitham Manaa, a member of the Syrian national Coalition and a former opponent of Bashar al-Assad’s government, told Al Mayadeen that approximately 22,000 Syrian army personnel and those who laid down their arms at the end of Assad’s presidency are currently held in Syria’s prisons under dire conditions.
Manaa said they appealed to the United Nations security council for a special resolution regarding armed groups due to concerns that supporting them might elevate their power.
He added that from Israel’s perspective, Damascus has fallen. After losing its military capabilities, the Syrian army can no longer defend the capital.
Referring to Israeli regime hostilities against Syria and Golani leadership’s silence, Manaa described golani’s team as willing to make any concessions necessary to maintain power.
Manaa emphasized that while the worst scenario was predicted, it was unimaginable that conditions would deteriorate this severely-especially with poverty now affecting 96 percent of Syria’s population.
He stressed Syria holds enormous human potential but said Golani’s regime marginalizes or eliminates these groups because it views them as threats.
Manaa underscored his around-the-clock efforts to establish a civilian government inclusive of all Syrians. He insisted sectarian solutions are closed off and stated official support alongside media propaganda aimed at confusing public opinion will not guarantee continuation of current rule.
concluding, Manaa declared he cannot visit Damascus and witness “these masked killers” ruling there. “Syria must return to its people,” he said. “That is my hope. We deserve a reality better than what exists today.”
